Human Development

First trance of the fine-material sphere

Description:
[Hinayana Buddhism] The mind detached from sensual objects by means of meditation may enter the first of the higher states of mental activity. One by one, these strip off the encumbrances of personality that mask reality. The object of the first trance is to lead to the subsiding of discursive thinking (vicara) and of thoughts (vitaka). Detachment is achieved.
[Tibetan Gelugpa Buddhism] The meditator holds the mind inside - mind and mental factors are all equally operating on the object. The four elements have become balanced. Through the first concentration, on the basis of calm abiding, many meditative absorptions and extra-sensory cognitions are achieved.
Context:
This state begins the series of four form-concentrations (dhyana) found in Tibetan Gelugpa Buddhism.<